Bob Dorr And The Blue Band Update

In a town the size of Sparkle City, you really have only 3 choices of something to do after midnight. You can go to bars, you can go to WalMart, or you can go to HyVee. Since I'm STILL drying out from my 80s and 90s adventures while living inside of bourbon bottles (how do they get that man inside of the bottle?) and (apparently) some people are TIRED of my WalMart escapades, that must mean it's time to talk about HyVee...
But(t) FIRST (?) Memorial Day weekend always marks the beginning of the summer festival season and The Blue Band's got some cool stuff coming up in the next 10 days, starting Sunday (SUNDAY!!) (FUNNY CARS with Arnie "the farmer" Beswick) (don't tell me you're too young to remember those screaming, reverb loaded, commercials on WLS radio) I am really looking forward to being part of the North Liberty Centre Blues and BBQ Festival in suburban Iowa City. We're one of FIVE bands starting at noon, Blue Band plays 6-7:30p. More info and a complete lineup can be found at: www.northlibertyiowa.org/bluesandbbq/activities.html One of the many cool aspects of this festival is that all the bands are from Iowa (Thank you North Liberty for buying local!) Another cool aspect is that there is NO admission charge. Couple that with great BBQ and kid friendly activities and it's a multi-generational fabulous way to kick off summer in Iowa. I bet they even have CAKE!...
But(t) wait, there's more! Tickets are selling fast for next Friday's (6/4) annual Blues Cruise on the Spirit of Dubuque Riverboat. We cruise the Mississippi 7:30-10:30. Proceeds go toward Iowa Public Radio. I'm told you'll have the opportunity to meet and talk with many IPR program hosts. There's only 300 tickets. They're only $15 (advance) ($20 day of show, if there are any left) all info and ticketing is being handled directly by IPR at www.iowapublicradio.org...
But WAIT! There's STILL more! Next Saturday (6/5) We're part of the Grand Opening party for a cool winery in Traer (about 20 miles south of Sparkle City) named Fox Ridge winery (http://foxridgewine.com/) We play 6-9pm. It's a rain or shine date, plenty of wining (but no whining)...
But WAIT! How are we gonna top that, you ask? Well, we're topping off that weekend (my wife's birthday weekend) (that's a warning, she's been known to dance on the bar and tables on her birthday) with a visit to The Troll Capitol of THE WORLD!! for Mt. Horeb Wisconsin's Summer Frolic. This is our annual opportunity to hear Mark Webber sing Not Me. This year, we'll try and get some kind of YouTube video going of his performance. We play 5-8pm. More info on this four day event can be found at http://www.trollway.com/default.asp...
Let's keep this between you and me, ok? (I'd hate to spoil my "image") I'm actually LIKING getting up in the morning! (this week's construction centered around cutting and affixing the sheet rock to the walls) (ya gotta love that dust first thing at 8:05 in the morning) It's amazing what you can get done before noon if you get up before 11:30!! My new found activities include going to HyVee when WAY more people are there! I have been pleasantly approached with compliments on my radio shows and The Blue Band while shopping for MANGOS in the middle of the day!! However, I warn you, DO NOT follow me in line because I seem to be a problem magnet every time I start unloading the cart (this seems to be an affliction no matter when I go there) This week I got behind a man that was obviously shopping for three different people, all whom were not there, but had written out a check to HyVee to cover the cost of their food and sending it along with this fellow to pay for their groceries. WHAT? And the check was made out for LESS than their order? I could see this fellow was obviously heading toward a fate worse than REASON 88, so I moved to the next line, where a nice little old lady was trying to use two coupons for the same product and was ready to fight for that extra 50 cents off. So I moved to one more register where upon seeing me, the cash register ribbon ran out. Stuff like this ALWAYS happens to me. And it doesn't seem to matter where or when I'm shopping! It's the deadly Check Out Counter Curse of 2010. (or is that, deadly cursing at the check out counter?)...

Speaking of the radio shows, I've got some Memorial Day specials, remembering those music makers who have passed on, on the Backtracks show, Sat. 7-10p, and on the Blue Avenue blues show Sun. 5-6:30p. These programs are heard on a number of Iowa Public Radio broadcast frequencies around the state. Find your local frequency or listen via streamed audio, anywhere on the planet, at www.iowapublicradio.org...
I'm REALLY looking forward to a fabulous summer festival schedule (we've still got a few prime weekend dates open for that deck party at your mansion on the outskirts of town) (or your basement or garage if you live in a neighborhood more like mine) I'm looking forward to seeing you on The Blue Highway (or the isles of the late night grocery stores around the state) Bring your washboard tie and rub it. Rub it good. Please keep in mind the reason for this holiday is to remember the people who have given the ultimate sacrifice so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have, Keep your eye on the lookout for that elusive summer delight, MANGO flavored CAKE, and always remember, we love you. Bob Dorr & The Blue Band
PS: we're still experiencing some problems with delivery of these notes. Let me know if you didn't get this...errrr, ask your friends if they got theirs...errr, you know what I mean

Kansas City Kansas Street Festival

Bad news from KCK.  Thanks to some boneheaded legistlators, ( are there any other kind??)  the very cool Kansas City Kansas Street Blues Festival has been canceled.  This is unfortunate since this would have been the tenth anniversary of the festival.  Her is the press release from Dawayne Gilley.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE            For additional information:
                            Dawayne Gilley – (913) 991-3451
                            dawaynegilley@yahoo.com


2010 Kansas City Kansas Street Blues Festival Forced to Cancel


Kansas City, KS, May 28, 2010—The festival dates were set for June 25th and 26th, 2010, which would have been the 10th annual celebration.  But, because of a new Kansas statute and a Wyandotte County-Kansas City, KS, revenue-oriented ordinance, after nine successful years of our festival being a BYOB free event, it is considered illegal to drink on sidewalks, streets, alleys or public right-of-ways—festival or no festival.  Bringing in your own cooler is now the root of the legal trouble for the demise of the festival.  Our festival’s popularity centers on a small town fair, block party, family reunion premise and is not about making money … our festival is about music and the arts.  Furthermore, we do not present famous national headliner acts which would support a non-outside beverage event.

The KCKStreet Blues Festival began at Third & Parallel in the northeast district in 2000, “dressing it up in the neighborhood” and bringing the musicians and the community back to their roots.  We have had nine successful years in the northeast district which has helped give birth and nurturing to the blues and jazz of our city.  Some of our key indigenous artists who have made this festival exceptional include:  Lawrence Wright, Provine “Little” Hatch, King Alex, Millage Gilbert, Ida McBeth, Anetta “Cotton Candy” Washington, Myra Taylor, Diane “Mama” Ray, Linda Shell, KC Kelsey Hill, Sonny Kenner, The Scamps, DC Bellamy, Bill Carter, Danny Cox, Lester “Wizard” King, Bobby Watson, Marva Whitney, Eugene Smiley, Blues Notions, Richard Townsend, Everette DeVan and Jay McShann.  Over the years, the festival has also presented significant national treasures who are not necessarily considered household names like David “Honeyboy” Edwards, Henry Townsend, Lazy Lester, Bobby Rush, Chick Willis, Eddie C. Campbell, Willie King, Texas Johnny Brown and Louisiana Red. 

Over 20 Lifetime Achievement Awards have been presented.  Each year, the festival honors a king or a queen as part of its celebration which brings pride to the community of artists and its fans.  Additionally, the festival presents memorial tributes and remembrances each and every year.  The goal of the festival is to bring all races together, on a grass roots level, and focuses on musicians who were born, raised, lived  or have performed a significant number of years in the Kansas City, KS, community.  This festival is a positive cultural event that survives year after year on a bare bones operating budget.

The Street Blues Festival entertains visitors from almost every U.S. state and most of Europe, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Korea and Japan.  The festival draws attendees primarily from the metropolitan and regional areas.  Recently, the Kansas City, Kansas–Wyandotte County Convention and Visitors Bureau “Tourism Event of the Year” award was presented to the 2009 Kansas City Kansas Street Blues Festival.  Our festival has received many honors, the most prestigious being funded by the National Endowment for the Arts in 2003 and 2005.  The blues “Who’s Who” for the past decade has dubbed the Kansas City Kansas Street Blues Festival as a “critics choice blues festival—unassuming, honest and real.”

Again, regrettably, the 2010 free festival has been forced to cancel due to change in state statute and city/county ordinance.  Key decisions by city/county officials could not be solved in a timely manner to allow the fest to go on as scheduled for this year.  It’s our hope that the governing bodies will come together with a new understanding which allows our festival to continue for 2011.  With this in mind, June 24th and 25th, 2011, will give us the opportunity to hold our 10th extended almost annual celebration of a thriving blues heritage … at its current location—13th & State Avenue in Kansas City, KS.

Go to www.kckstreetbluesfest.com or http://www.pitch.com/2010-05-27/news/dawayne-gilley-s-kck-street-blues-festival-gets-canned/ for additional information.

Rene Solis RIP

From Bob Corritore

RIP Rene Solis Sept 1954 - April 2010. We have word that beloved bay area guitarist/vocalist Rene Solis has passed away. He was 55. Rene was the leader of Nite Cry, a band which, years ago, also featured a young Tommy Castro. Rene also worked with John Lee Hooker, Luther Tucker, Coco Montoya, and Debbie Davies. For more information on Rene Solis, and see his website click here. Thank you Rene, for a life devoted to the blues.

Claudia Swartz Update

ROCKSHOP PRESENTS:

 

LOCAL ARTIST BLUES SHOW CASE GALA

 

WHEN: SAT JUNE 26TH FROM 8 PM - 1AM

WHERE: ROCKSHOP KING STREET IN FAYETTEVILLE NC BEHIND HESS STATION OFF EASTERN BLVD.

 

FAYETTEVILLE'S MOST LEGENDARY MUSICIANS ARE GATHERING TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE BLUES IN A SHOW OF WORLD CLASS ENTERTAINMENT.

 

BANDS:

ROBBIE REID BAND     CORKY JONES

BLUESENIGMA             WILLIE BRADLEY

BRADLEY MUFFETT      BUDDY WOODARD

MARIE                          PUNCHO FORREST

DAVID JOHNSON          RICHARD GATES

AND SPECIAL GUEST ARTISTS

 

INTRODUCING TO THE COMMUNITY:

13 YEAR OLD BLUES PLAYER AND SINGER

"LAKOTA" JOHN LOCKLEAR AND THE LOCKLEAR BLUES FAMILY   &

OTHER SPECIAL GUESTS

 

THIS IS THE FIRST SHOW OF ITS KIND AT THE ROCKSHOP AND WE WILL BRING YOU ELECTRIFYING STELLAR PERFORMING ARTISTS FROM FAYETTEVILLE IN A SETTING THAT WILL BRING THE BIG TIME TO FAYETTEVILLE!!!! IF YOU MISS THIS IT'S YOUR OWN FAULT!

TICKETS : $ 18.50 AT DOOR

PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS WILL START A SPECIAL NEEDS  FUND FOR LOCAL DISABLED MUSICIANS.

THE BIGGEST EVENT EVER FOR LOCAL MUSIC IN FAYETTEVILLE. PLEASE COME OUT AND SUPPORT US WITH YOUR PRESENCE. ROCKSHOP HOLDS 850 AND WE NEED TO HAVE 849 AND A HALF PEOPLE IN THERE!!!;)

IF YOU LOVE THE BLUES AND LOCAL MUSICIANS DO NOT MISS US FOR THIS ONCE IN A LIFETIME CHANCE TO HEAR US ALL ON THE BIG DOG STAGE!

CU ALL AT THE ROCKSHOP ON JUNE 26TH AND LOOKING FORWARD TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU TO WALK THROUGH THE DOORS.

Mississippi Tourism Ideas

I just got this from the Mississippi Delta tourism association about upcoming events down in the heart of blues country.  Check it out!

Clarksdale / Cleveland / DeSoto County / Greenville Greenwood / Indianola / Tunica / Vicksburg / Yazoo City

The Mississippi Blues Trail For a die-hard blues enthusiast, traveling the Mississippi Blues Trail is a dream come true. For those less familiar with this soulful mix of rock & roll, jazz and rhythm & blues, it's an unforgettable -- and maybe unexpected -- experience. The hundreds of miles of Mississippi Blues Trail explore the history of blues music and the lives of the musicians who made their mark in the Delta. With more than 100 fascinating landmarks, it's a mile-upon-mile enshrinement of musical gods. But maybe more than that, the trail is a true uncensored look into one of America's most captivating regions. Full Story... Tunica Riverpark: 2 for 1 Museum admission Tunica Riverpark One River Park Drive, Tunica, MS 38664 Immerse yourself in the legend and life of the mighty Mississippi at America's newest park and museum on the Mississippi River. Alluvian Summer Get-Away Alluvian Hotel 318 Howard Street, Greenwood, MS 38930 Visit The Alluvian for a summer get-away. Package includes one-night accommodations, a $50 credit at Giardina's restaurant and a sweet treat on arrival. Starting at $215 plus tax. Friday at the Stage - May 28, 2010 Open air stage downtown Downtown Hernando, Hernando, MS 38632 Free concert for the family at the open air stage in downtown Clarksdale. Bring your children, lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy Loose Bruce and his wide variety of musical styles. Steve Miller Band - May 28, 2010 Tunica Harrah's Tunica Resorts, MS 38664 Formed in 1967 in San Francisco, California. The band is managed by Steve Miller on guitar and lead vocals. Outstanding Teen - May 31 - June 5, 2010 Vicksburg Convention Center Vicksburg, MS The Miss Mississippi Outstanding Teen Pageant festivities will get kicked off on Monday, May 31st with the Princess Crowning luncheon at the Southern Culture Heritage Foundation. "Sunset on the Square" - June 3, 2010 Hernando Historic Courthouse Square Downtown Hernando, Hernando, MS 38632 Hernando’s “Sunset on the Square” Summer Concert series, sponsored by First Tennessee Bank, presents Pop Rock artist, Ingram Hill as the first in the series of concerts in June. Highway 61 Blues Festival - June 5 - 6, 2010 Downtown Leland Leland, MS 38756 Tickets on sale at the Highway 61 Blues Museum or you can purchase them at the gate. Gates open at 10:00am. Chrome Show - June 12, 2010 Downtown Greenwood Howard Street, Greenwood, MS 38930 This car show is for the whole family-complete with custom cars, street rods, muscle cars, and classic motorcycles, cars and trucks. Bentonia Blues Festival - June 19 - 20, 2010 Blue Front Cafe' 107 E. Railroad Ave., Bentonia, MS 39040 Find your way to downtown Bentonia, MS for some great MS Delta blues music. There's something for everyone. From food, arts & crafts, and entertainment for the entire family! B.B. King Homecoming Festival - July 2 - 3, 2010 Indianola, MS This year’s B.B. King Homecoming festival will be bigger, encompassing two days, Friday, July 2 and Saturday, July 3, and featuring blues, motorcycles and barbecue.

Mississippi Delta Tourism Association P.O. Box 606 - Clarksdale, Mississippi 38614 Copyright © 2010 Mississippi Delta Tourism Association. All Rights Reserved. Toll Free: 800-626-3764 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              800-626-3764

Larry Dale RIP

From Bob Corritore

• 
  RIP Larry Dale - January 7, 1923 to May 19 2010. Guitarist/vocalist Larry Dale is best known for 1950s and '60s session work in New York which yielded many great sides. His amazing vocals could transport a song to an other-worldly quality but he also was a fine guitarist who would be called into recording sessions as an accompanist to other vocalists. Born Ennis Lowery on January 7th, 1927 in Wharton Texas, he would later move to New York where he would record sides for Atlantic, Jax, Herald, Groove, Vik, and Glover. In addition to his own fine recordings, he played on sessions with Champion Jack Dupree, Bob Gaddy, Paul Williams, Big Red McHouston, Mr. Bear, Cootie Williams, and others. He passed away on Wednesday at his apartment in New York. He was 86 years old. To see Larry Dale's full discography, click here. To read a nice bio, click here.